Dove/Pigeon mix

[Jane08]

I had never thought of this before until someone else asked me why we feed our greys Dove mix (it's a mixture of seeds). We soak the seed in water for 24 hours and then give it to them.

 

Does anyone else do this or maybe it is just a Swedish thing? Many Swedish poeple who have parrots feed their birds this.

 

The theory behind it is that the soaking in water causes a chemical reaction that increases the digestibilty of the seeds. It also brings out the nutritional stuff like protien much better than dried seeds.

[Joolesgreyuk]

I don't know about "dove mix" but yes sprouted mixes are often recommended for parrots - I don't know the reasons why.

[Greywings]

sprouted seeds and grains do have higher food value than dry foods.Why Sprout?

 

Sprouting seeds increases their nutritional value by an incredible amount. Not only vitamins but natural enzymes and phytochemicals as well. Sprouting is easy to do and birds usually love them. Sprouts should be fed when the tails appear, usually around 1/8th of an inch but for legumes they should be 1/4th an inch.

What to Sprout

 

Make sure to research any grain/legume/seed that you plan to sprout. Not all are safe to give to birds in their raw or sprouted state (especially true of beans).

Some Safe Seeds / Grains

 

* Amaranth

* Quinoa

* Wheat berries

* Rye Berries

* Oat Groats

* Red Clover

* Alfalfa

* Broccoli

* Safflower

* Gray Striped Sunflower (not black oil as they are way too fattening!)

* Whole Millet

* Sesame Seeds

 

Safe Legumes (sprout to 1/4 inch tails)

 

* Adzuki Beans

* Mung Beans,

* Red lentils

* Green Lentils

* French Lentils

Do rinse and refrigerate as soon as they reach the desired growth they should keep about a week in the frige.

[JillyBeanz]

What a great list Jill - I've never tried sprouting because I can kill cacti! I managed to grow cress with the kids on cotton wool!!!

 

How exciting - I'm going to try and give it a go over the weekend - which is the easiest for beginners?

[Luvparrots]

I bought one of those sprouting kits with seeds when I first got Ana Grey. She didn't like the sprouts then. Perhaps, I'll give it an other try now that she is older. Maybe I'll have better luck!

[pearllyn]

JillyBeanz wrote:

which is the easiest for beginners?

 

Jill I got my sprouting beans from northern parrots.

 

http://www.24parrot.com/Tidymix-Pulse-and-Rice-Soaking-Mix--2Kg-P5977/

 

Nothing to it - it was well within my capabilities!

 

Alfie often loves her beans and sprouts!!

[JillyBeanz]

Ooh - thanks for that Lyn - that nearly looks within my capabilities too!! :laugh: